Non-Muslims liable if Muslims join their religious events?

 

“Given these considerations, Hanif’s concerns and questions were valid and should have been addressed carefully and transparently.” - PAS secretary-general

There are a couple of issues that need to be addressed when it comes to the extreme political, legal, and religious provocations against Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming.

The first big issue is this. Are non-Muslims legally liable if Muslims attend their religious events? In other words, are non-Muslims bound by this fatwa even though we are repeatedly told that Muslim diktats do not affect non-Muslims?

PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan claims that the PAS youth leader was merely following “2005 National Fatwa Council guidelines and a Federal Territories Mufti’s Office ruling, both of which impose strict conditions on Muslim involvement in non-Islamic religious events due to concerns over Islamic faith and beliefs.”

Fair enough. But then why are the Muslims who participated in this event not facing any sanctions from either PAS or the federal religious apparatus? Why is the minister liable?

For instance, is it illegal to sell cigarettes and alcohol to minors and it is illegal to allow minors into certain premises? All of these are codified legal provisions.

Is PAS claiming that the minister is liable for an event he held and that Muslims participated in even though it is incumbent only on Muslims to follow the religious dictates of the religious apparatus of this country?

Think of this another way. So, let’s say there is a fatwa that prohibits Muslims from doing something during their interactions with non-Muslims. If a Muslim ignores this prohibition, is the non-Muslim liable for the Muslim going against the fatwa?

To the best of my knowledge, there have been no raids on non-Muslim homes or places of worship by the authorities to determine if Muslims are abiding by this fatwa.

Furthermore, anecdotally speaking, Muslims from all walks of life who have attended the various religious celebrations of their friends and neighbours have not been sanctioned for going against this fatwa. And neither have the non-Muslims who have celebrated these religious celebrations with their Muslim brethren.

So again, as far as this fatwa is concerned, why is it that the minister is singled out for what has no effect on him or how he chooses to celebrate the diversity of this country? Also, why is it that the anger is directed against him and not the Muslims who supposedly went against this fatwa?

Points raised by PAS

Let us look at the three points raised by PAS when it comes to the National Fatwa Council and keep in mind that this is supposed to affect Muslims only but more importantly, these are guidelines.

Point 1: Symbols and elements that contradict Islamic beliefs such as symbols of other religions and religious songs.

This would mean there are no religious symbols of non-Muslims in PAS/Perikatan Nasional-controlled states. If these guidelines are followed by PAS/PN, this would mean any non-Islamic religious symbol anywhere would be an affront to Islam.

Is PAS really claiming this? This would also mean that anyone wearing a cross or any kind of religious iconography around Muslims would be in violation of this guideline.

Point 2: Holding such celebrations at government premises and involving Muslim staff.

Is there a legal provision and not merely a guideline for this? Are non-Muslim government employees banned from holding any kind of celebration or activity on government premises?

PAS cites a religious guideline but is the minister contravening any laws? This is an extremely important point and perhaps one that Madani should address.

Point 3: Causing unrest among Muslims and affecting national harmony.

Who is causing unrest? The Muslims who participated in the carolling? So this would mean that any time Muslims celebrate any kind of religious or cultural festival with non-Muslims this would cause unrest and affect national harmony.

Really? So all this time, when prime ministers, royalty, and politicians who held open houses in their personal residences or government offices for non-Muslim festivities, were affecting national harmony?

Celebrating non-Islam religions

Kepong MP Lim Lip Eng has the right of it when he says - “If PAS is truly serious about this issue, they should clarify whether they also intend to ban official Deepavali celebrations for the Indian community, Gong Xi Fa Cai for the Chinese community, or Kaamatan and Gawai festivals in Sabah and Sarawak, which are organised by government agencies.”

As for Section 298A of the Penal Code, what exactly was the minister’s blasphemous act which insulted a religion? What exactly did the minister say or do which insulted a religion?

By merely celebrating or acknowledging a religion other than Islam, is that blasphemous? Maybe to PAS and perhaps to Madani if the minister is investigated on this charge.

So this would mean that any time anyone acknowledges another religion other than Islam, no matter the context, it would be considered blasphemous?

What is important to remember here is this. Non-Muslims are constantly told that Islamic law will not affect us. We are constantly told to mind our own business and not to interfere when it comes to Islamic law.

PAS and perhaps Madani by its silence have demonstrated that this is a complete lie. What PAS is attempting to do, is destroy a DAP politician by claiming that even when he is doing his job as a minister and politician and promoting the diversity of this country, it is an affront to Islam.

This is made worse by the fact that the prime minister of this federal government is yet again leaving a non-Muslim member of his cabinet out to dry.

With friends like this the government, who needs enemies? - FMT

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S THAYAPARAN is Commander (Rtd) of the Royal Malaysian Navy. Fīat jūstitia ruat cælum - “Let justice be done though the heavens fall.”

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.